Resolved Question:

My name is Jane. I have worked with animals professionally for over 17 years dealing with both health and behavioral issues. I have over 14,000 satisfied customers. It will be my pleasure to work with you today. .

.

I need to ask for some additional information. Once I receive your responses, it will likely take 30-40 minutes to type my response. I hope you can be patient.

.

How old is Angel?

It says here Angel is Male, is that correct?

Is he neutered?

Can you describe the circumstances surrounding a few instances where he has growled?

he has not been neutered. We where out for a walk and two dogs came up to play and he groweled at them. I took him to the bank and the bank tellers wanted to pet him he hide behind me. I moved out of the way and he started to growel at the tellers when they came closer. I had him in my arms when we where on the elveator someone came up and patted him on his back and he groweled and tryied to bite them,

Thanks for the additional information. It is helpful to me. Your dog should be neutered first off so he does not become more aggressive. It also helps prevent testicular cancer in the future.

.

It sounds like your dog has not yet been socialized properly. It also sounds like it might be fear based since he tried to hide behind his master, you, and you moved out of the way thus not affording him protection from the people. This made it impossible for him to avoid the confrontation and he reacted in the only way he knows to make people move away which is growling and nipping.

.

This can be fixed especially since it just started. I suggest obedience training in the form of a class setting. It not only teaches obedience, but gives the dog the chance to socialize with other dogs and people in a setting where there is no one on one meeting and everyone is paying attention to their own dog which is perfect for him. He needs to learn that dogs and people are not to be feared. Obedience training also gives him self confidence which will help ease fear as well. If dominance based which I feel is unlikely in this situation, then it will help with that as well since he will see you as the boss.

.

As the boss it is your job to protect him so you will need to not allow dogs and people to approach him. If people want to be introduced to him, then they need to crouch down in front of him and let him come to them. I wouldn't let them pet him yet, but you can carry treats and allow them to give him treats. This way he will associate them with good things and stop fearing them.

.

You should also see about finding a similar sized young female dog to act as a playmate for him. Class may help you find one as well. Introduce them at an enclosed area such as a tennis court and have them trail the leashes. This allows them to interact as they want but the humans can still grab the leashes to separate them.

.

I believe these things will help your boy overcome his issues and make him a more rounded dog in the future.

.

I hope this information is helpful to you and you are satisfied with my response. If you would like any additional information or have more questions please don’t hesitate to press the reply to expert or continue conversation button so I can address any issues you still have .

.

If you have questions in the future that you wish me to answer, you may clickhereand bookmark the page or make it a favorite. It is best to put my name "JANE" in the question as well. Please recommend me to your friends and family members if they have any problems with their dog as well. I would truly appreciate it.

I will tell you that...the things you have to go through to be an Expert are quite rigorous.

What Customers are Saying:

I must tell you I found this site by accident and was amazed when I asked a question of the Veteranians online. I wish I could have found it sooner it could have made such a difference in the outcome of my pet's surgery. However, I am passing along the information to my sister-in-law (a cat-rescue person who is also a nurse), and perhaps it will help someone else who may experience the same problem.
The doctor who answered my question was amazing, and while it didn't come it time to change the outcome of my situation, it is reassuring to know the caliber of Vets/Doctors that you have at JustAnswer. Thank you for being there.Alice H.Jacksonville, Fl.

I must tell you I found this site by accident and was amazed when I asked a question of the Veteranians online. I wish I could have found it sooner it could have made such a difference in the outcome of my pet's surgery. However, I am passing along the information to my sister-in-law (a cat-rescue person who is also a nurse), and perhaps it will help someone else who may experience the same problem.
The doctor who answered my question was amazing, and while it didn't come it time to change the outcome of my situation, it is reassuring to know the caliber of Vets/Doctors that you have at JustAnswer. Thank you for being there.Alice H.Jacksonville, Fl.

This expert is wonderful. They truly know what they are talking about, and they actually care about you. They really helped put my nerves at ease. Thank you so much!!!!AlexLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for all your help. It is nice to know that this service is here for people like myself, who need answers fast and are not sure who to consult.GPHesperia, CA

I couldn't be more satisfied! This is the site I will always come to when I need a second opinion.JustinKernersville, NC

Just let me say that this encounter has been entirely professional and most helpful. I liked that I could ask additional questions and get answered in a very short turn around. EstherWoodstock, NY

Thank you so much for taking your time and knowledge to support my concerns. Not only did you answer my questions, you even took it a step further with replying with more pertinent information I needed to know. RobinElkton, Maryland

Ask a Dog Trainer

Get a Professional Answer. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed.

64 Dog Trainers are Online Now

Type Your Dog Training Question Here...

characters left:

Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.